Description

From the celebrated, multi-award-winning author Michael Morpurgo comes When Fishes Flew, an expansive, emotionally resonant, and beautifully crafted novel that stretches across generations, oceans, and historical epochs. The narrative framework follows a contemporary protagonist who journeys to a sun-drenched Greek island, only to unearth a complex tapestry of deeply buried family secrets, wartime heroism, and ancient myths. Morpurgo masterfully shifts the timeline back to the harrowing days of the Second World War, delivering a vivid, deeply researched portrayal of the allied campaigns in the Mediterranean, specifically focusing on the brave Australian and British soldiers who fought alongside Greek resistance fighters against overwhelming Axis forces. The novel expertly blends the harsh, gritty realities of historical warfare with the timeless, magical realism of classical Greek mythology—evoking the spirit of the Odyssey to parallel the protagonist’s own journey home. Written with Morpurgo’s signature lyrical prose, psychological depth, and profound empathy, this book addresses universal themes of courage, the collateral damage of war, the power of storytelling, and the unbreakable threads of memory that bind families together, making it an epic read for both young adults and literary fiction connoisseurs.